Stem Cell Legislation & Policy

Key laws and policies that shaped funding, ethics, and research practice.

March 9, 2009

Executive Order 13505: Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells

The purpose of this order by President Barack Obama was to remove "limitations on scientific inquiry, to expand NIH support for the exploration of human stem cell research, and in so doing to enhance the contribution of America's scientists to important new discoveries and new therapies for the benefit of humankind."

Impact: Funds and conducts human embryonic stem cell research that has been limited by previous Presidential actions.
June 20, 2007

Executive Order: Expanding Approved Stem Cell Lines in Ethically Responsible Ways

On June 20, 2007, President George W. Bush vetoed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Alongside his veto, he issued an Executive Order promoting alternative, ethically responsible scientific methods—such as reprogramming adult skin cells—to create pluripotent stem cells without the destruction of human embryos.

Impact: Expanded the NIH Embryonic Stem Cell registry to include all types of ethically produced human pluripotent stem cells. Renamed the registry to the Pluripotent Stem Cell Registry.
July 18-19, 2006

Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810)

The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 810) aimed to expand federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research by allowing the use of stem cells derived from embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics. It was vetoed by President George W. Bush on July 19, 2006, who argued it crossed a moral boundary by supporting the destruction of human embryos. The same day, the House failed, 235-193, to override President Bush’s veto, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto.

Impact: Had the bill not been vetoed, it would have reversed the Dickey–Wicker Amendment which made it illegal for federal money to be used for research where stem cells are derived from the destruction of an embryo.
1995

The Dickey-Wicker Amendment

Congress bans the federal funding for research on embryos through the Dickey-Wicker Amendment, named after its sponsors Jay Dickey (R-AR) and Roger Wicker (R-MI).

Impact: The amendment prohibits the use of federal funds for "the creation of human embryo or embryos for research purposes; or research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed, discarded, or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death greater than that allowed for research on fetuses in utero."
November 2, 2004

The California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act (Proposition 71)

The Act makes conducting stem cell research a state constitutional right. It authorizes the sale of general obligation bonds to allocate three billion dollars over a period of ten years to stem cell research and research facilities. Although the funds could be used to finance all kinds of stem cell research, it gives priority to human embryonic stem cell research.

Impact: Created the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), which is in charge of making "grants and loans for stem cell research, for research facilities, and for other vital research opportunities to realize therapies."
July 2026

Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 5160)

Reauthorizes and updates the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005.

Impact: Reauthorizes funding for the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory with several updates to the Cord Blood Inventory program. Learn More: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5160/text